An easyJet plane bound for London had to turn back to Faro and make a reported emergency landing – hours after a co-pilot for the low cost airline reportedly fainted en-route to Lisbon.

Incident followed reported fainting of easyJet co-pilot on flight into Lisbon

The aircraft with 161 passengers on board hit a bird shortly after take-off yesterday afternoon.

Flight tracking information showed that it aborted its journey to London Gatwick and landed again at Faro at 5.40pm – 44 minutes after taking off.

The Daily Mail has covered the incident, showing the plane’s looping trajectory south of Faro.

The incident is understood to have triggered a ‘red code’ alert at the airport with emergency response vehicles being mobilised although the plane managed to land safely.